Garden Spot Village Sets Date for Annual Marathon

USATF-certified Boston Marathon qualifier slated for April 10 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

NEW HOLLAND, Pa. — Nov. 16, 2009 — Race organizers have announced the date of the 2010 Garden Spot Village Marathon. The event will be held Sat., Apr. 10, 2010, beginning at 8 a.m. Race packs will be available at 6:30 a.m., and a pre-race pasta dinner will be held on April 9.

The 26.2-mile, USA Track & Field (USATF)-certified, Boston Marathon qualifier course starts near the Legacy Garden on the 104-acre campus of Garden Spot Village, a retirement community in Lancaster County, Pa. The course winds through the scenic Amish farmlands at the foot of the Welsh Mountain before looping back to the campus at 433 S. Kinzer Ave.

In addition to the full marathon, this year’s event adds a half marathon. Runners, walkers and four-person relay teams are welcome to participate in either.

“There is something for everyone, whether you are a beginner or experienced, a leisure or competitive runner, or even a walker,” said Scott Miller, director of marketing for Garden Spot Village and race director, as well as a marathoner himself. “We also have plenty of space for family, friends and spectators.”

Equal rewards for masters
The Garden Spot Village Marathon is unique in that the masters awards are the same amounts as the overall awards.

“We feel it is important to encourage adults to remain active regardless of age, and we want to recognize the athleticism of our 50-plus runners,” Miller said.

Cash awards will be given in four categories: Men Overall, Women Overall, Men 50-plus and Women 50-plus. In each category, awards are $500 and a trophy for first place, with trophies for second and third place. In addition, there will be first, second and third place awards for men and women in age categories, in five-year increments ranging from ages 13-19 to age 70-plus.

Awards will be presented as competitors cross the finish line.

Track record of success
Launched in April 2009, the Garden Spot Village Marathon is the first 26.2-mile marathon run completely in Lancaster County and is believed to be the first marathon ever hosted by a retirement community. Last year’s event drew hundreds of participants from 10 states.

Proceeds from the marathon benefit the Garden Spot Village Benevolent Fund, which helps support residents who need financial assistance. The event’s premier sponsors are Garden Spot Village and Garden Spot Village at Home, which offers personal care and companionship services in the greater New Holland area.

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